Joseph K. Hotchkiss - Vietnam War - Mickey Strand - Veterans Series

Mickey Strand - Veterans Series View More Photos Skip to Main Content

Vietnam War

Click on Veteran's photo to see their service story. These Warriors served during the Vietnam War

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Where can I donate?

I have created a way to accept donations to grow the project, use the WWII Veterans Portrait Series
Please email

Where are you located?

I live in the San Diego area but have traveled to many locations to interview and photograph Veterans.


How Long is an Appointment?

Appointments usually last an hour. But please free up time for Mickey to set up lights and cameras, hold the interview, and take some still photographers for in the project.

Do you accept reservations?

Yes is the simple answer to the question. Each appointment is set up as an individual session. Group sessions have been set up when I visited a senior living facility or many of the California Veterans Homes.

Copyright © 2025 Mickey Strand – Veterans Series
Joseph K. Hotchkiss United States Army Sergent Vietnam War Joseph was born on November 25, 1938, in Raven, Connecticut. At age eight, his family moved to Southern California, where they lived in and around San Diego. He graduated from Victor Valley High School in 1966. Joseph was drafted into the Army on January 14, 1970. He completed basic training at Fort Ord, California, followed by Advanced Infantry Training (AIT). Initially designated a rifleman, he was reassigned to automatic-weapons training. He also attended the Military Police Academy at Ft. Gordon, GA, and a 12-week Vietnamese language course at the Defense Language Institute at Biggs Field, Fort Bliss, TX. Joseph Hotchkiss was deployed to South Vietnam, arriving on September 11, 1970. He was stationed with the 504th MP Battalion. His daily duties primarily involved search-and-destroy missions. He was promoted to Sergeant on 9 Oct 1971, at the end of his year in Vietnam. He served exactly one year in Vietnam with the 504th. After his year in Vietnam, he was transferred to Germany to fulfill his service obligation. He traveled to many bases throughout Germany, though he noted that the duties were routine and did not involve active combat. He served primarily with the 18th Military Police Brigade in this region. Joseph returned to California in December 1973 and received an honorable discharge upon completing his obligated service. Joseph Hotchkiss received the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Service Medal with 1960 device, and the sharpshooter badge for M14, M16, and pistol. Joseph returned to police work after a first job in construction, specifically "shoveling dirt" on a large project in the South Bay, San Diego, for six months to a year. He then transitioned to a career with the California Highway Patrol (CHP), where he served as a patrol officer for 19 years before retiring.
mickey,strand,photograph,nikon,Z8,portrait,VPS,veteran,california,Barstow,calvet
Joseph K. Hotchkiss - Vietnam War - Mickey Strand - Veterans Series
Joseph K. Hotchkiss United States Army Sergent Vietnam War Joseph was born on November 25, 1938, in Raven, Connecticut. At age eight, his family moved to Southern California, where they lived in and around San Diego. He graduated from Victor Valley High School in 1966. Joseph was drafted into the Army on January 14, 1970. He completed basic training at Fort Ord, California, followed by Advanced Infantry Training (AIT). Initially designated a rifleman, he was reassigned to automatic-weapons training. He also attended the Military Police Academy at Ft. Gordon, GA, and a 12-week Vietnamese language course at the Defense Language Institute at Biggs Field, Fort Bliss, TX. Joseph Hotchkiss was deployed to South Vietnam, arriving on September 11, 1970. He was stationed with the 504th MP Battalion. His daily duties primarily involved search-and-destroy missions. He was promoted to Sergeant on 9 Oct 1971, at the end of his year in Vietnam. He served exactly one year in Vietnam with the 504th. After his year in Vietnam, he was transferred to Germany to fulfill his service obligation. He traveled to many bases throughout Germany, though he noted that the duties were routine and did not involve active combat. He served primarily with the 18th Military Police Brigade in this region. Joseph returned to California in December 1973 and received an honorable discharge upon completing his obligated service. Joseph Hotchkiss received the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Service Medal with 1960 device, and the sharpshooter badge for M14, M16, and pistol. Joseph returned to police work after a first job in construction, specifically "shoveling dirt" on a large project in the South Bay, San Diego, for six months to a year. He then transitioned to a career with the California Highway Patrol (CHP), where he served as a patrol officer for 19 years before retiring.